Comments (0) Best Hike Through Modern-Day Ruins - 2013
Old Los Angeles Zoo at Griffith Park
The hike through the Old Los Angeles Zoo at Griffith Park is like traipsing through a lost episode of The Addams Family. Hikers can ascend to its twisted, metal ruins, dating to 1912, making these remains of lion's dens and monkey cages almost ancient by Los Angeles standards. You begin by parking near the creepy carousel straight out of Something Wicked This Way Comes. Along the way, it may give you a chill to come across the many inhumane little cages old-timey folks thought were nice homes in which to keep the beasties. Sites like ModernHiker.com will help you plot your course so you know exactly where to go and what to bring. The full hike can cover up to three miles and take as long as two hours. For those with a less adventurous spirit, simply visit the old bear habitat off the grassy knoll. Today it's a picnic area. Griffith Park Drive, Griffith Park, 90027. (323) 913-4688, trailhead coordinates: 34.13527, -118.286357. laparks.org/dos/parks/griffithpk. —Erin E. Maxwell
